Putnam County approves $700,000 purchase of Medic Way property, allocates $200,000 for remodel

The Putnam County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on March 2 to request $700,000 from the county's hazardous waste fund to purchase the Medic Way property and approved $200,000 from the same fund toward an initial remodel.

County Attorney Jim Ensley told commissioners he had researched the fund and concluded the full purchase price could be taken from the hazardous waste balance. Commissioner Andy Beck moved to request the $700,000 and Commissioner Rick Woodall seconded; the motion passed unanimously. Auditor Kristina Berish will submit the supplemental appropriation request to County Council for final approval.

The board also approved allocating $200,000 from the hazardous waste fund for remodel work. At a prior meeting the board had approved a remodel total not to exceed $420,000; Woodall asked how much the health department could contribute. Administrator Assistant Brian Williams told the board the local public health services grant could provide $128,000 toward the remodel, leaving an estimated $92,000 shortfall that Williams was asked to address by identifying other funds or reducing the scope.

Commissioners noted the remodel funding plan and that Council review is required for the hazardous waste fund appropriation. The board did not specify a remodel timeline; next administrative steps include the Auditor preparing the Council request and staff refining the remodel budget.

The meeting record shows the motion to request funds and the motion to allocate remodel funds passed unanimously.